David S. Cohen

David Cohen is an American entrepreneur and investor known for founding Techstars, a leading global startup accelerator that pioneered the mentorship-driven model for early-stage companies. He serves as the company's CEO and has guided its growth into one of the world's most active pre-seed investors, supporting thousands of founders and contributing to the creation of numerous unicorn companies through its programs and investments.

Cohen originated the concept for Techstars in 2006 with a founding email to collaborator David Brown outlining a program focused on intensive mentorship, seed funding, and network building for startups. Co-founding the organization with Brown, Brad Feld, and Jared Polis, he helped establish it in Boulder, Colorado, where it officially incorporated later that year. Under his leadership, Techstars expanded to operate accelerators worldwide, emphasizing a #givefirst philosophy that prioritizes support for entrepreneurs and has influenced the broader startup ecosystem by demonstrating the effectiveness of structured accelerator programs.

His work has positioned Techstars as a key player in fostering innovation and providing resources to founders at the earliest stages, helping build a powerful network that connects entrepreneurs with capital, expertise, and opportunities across industries.